Author name: highlandnews

A South Donegal TD is pleading with Government to not increase the 9% VAT rate on the Hospitality sector. Deputy Marian Harkin explains that the North West rely on their hospitality sector more than the rest of the country as there is a  notable lack of high value jobs. If the VAT returns to 13.5

Motorists could pay higher prices for fuel at pumps from Tuesday. It’s expected a reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel will be removed – in line with updated cost of living measures. Fuels for Ireland CEO Kevin McPartlan has been examining what effect that will have on the average-sized family car…

This week Errigal was named in Lonely Planet as the best sunrise, sunset hike  in Ireland and placed fourth in their listings of the best hikes in the country. The travel guide book is one of the world’s biggest travel publications. Speaking with us this morning, author of the piece and avid hiker Killian Anderson

Today sees the return of the Polar Plunge to Rathmullan Pier. With a 3pm kick-off a number of Garda members from the Donegal Division among many others will once again brave the cold waters in aid of the Special Olympics. The navy vessel, LE George Bernard Shaw will also moor at the pier and is

Donegal County Council is being urged to extend the footpath in the Oldtown area from the NowDOC building to the old Hideout Bar. The issue was raised by Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly, who told this week’s Letterkenny Milford Municipal District meeting that the level of traffic on that road has increased significantly, and action is

The Taoiseach says he’s “quietly confident” an agreement on the Northern Ireland Protocol could be reached “within a week”. Earlier today, the British Prime Minister met parties in the North to discuss the arrangement, while talks will continue between the EU and the UK over the weekend. Stormont leaders appeared positive about the progress following

Donegal ETB adult education tutors are paid less that those in the Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim ETB. Deputy Marian Harkin raised the matter in the Dáil yesterday. In Donegal tutors receive the ‘self-financing rate’ 10 to 20% less than the rate paid by the Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim colleagues. She says there are different pay rates for tutors doing the same

Stormont leaders are playing down reports that a deal has been struck on the Northern Ireland protocol. The British Prime Minister has been meeting with parties on the outskirts of Belfast.. More high level talks will take this weekend between London and Brussels. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said a deal hasn’t been done yet:

Defective concrete block homeowners are set to travel to Dublin once again to demand 100% redress. Donegal County Councillors have been urged to show their support in leading the protest at Leinster House on Tuesday. To date, 13 Councillors have confirmed their attendance with more are expected to confirm over the coming days. Chair of

7,102 patients were unable to be discharged from hospital in 2022 despite no longer needing care. It translates to 207,000 lost bed days as a result of delayed discharges. Dr Mick Molloy, Consultant in emergency medicine said the current situation is having a profound effect on the Health Care system:

A Letterkenny councillor says if the corn and flax mill at Newmills is to reach its potential, the first thing that must be done is to reopen it. Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh moved a motion at Letterkenny Milford Municipal District this week, calling on the council to liaise with the OPW to ensure that the facility

Donegal County Council is to ask Transport Infrastructure Ireland to carry out improvement works on a dangerous stretch of the N14 Lifford to Letterkenny Road. The issue’s been raised by Cllr Donal Coyle, who told colleagues this week that there is a real risk of a serious collision at the stretch at Doorable, Manorcunningham. He’s

The British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will meet political parties in Belfast this morning, as speculation mounts that a deal has been done on resolving the controversy over the Northern Ireland Protocol. It’s understood he will brief the parties on concessions agreed in talks between officials from the British Government and the European Commission in

Cllr. Gerry McMonagle says factors such as the defective blocks crisis, influx of refugees and students attending university has added pressure onto Letterkenny. He raised his concerns regarding the lack of adequate short-term solutions for families in particular who are presenting as homeless. He is calling on the Government and Donegal County Council to form

A Donegal deputy questioned the Tánaiste on what the government plans to do to support families who are suffering the most under the cost-of-living crisis. Deputy Pearse Doherty presented stark statistics from Barnardo’s and accused government of choosing to not implement proposals to aid those most in need. The Tánaiste responded saying deputy Doherty is

Derry Cllr. Emma McGinley is voicing her concerns about the plans to build 100,000 houses in the North. While welcoming the construction that is underway of 119 homes in Derry, she is seeking the affirmation that building plans for the next 15 years will still go ahead. She says the lack of a Northern Ireland

A Diversity not Division Rally is taking place in Letterkenny this weekend. It’s part of a national series of rallies taking place across the country on Saturday. People are being encouraged to bring flags, posters and banners for a peaceful celebration of diversity and inclusion at the Market Square, Letterkenny at 1:30pm. Paul Kernan from

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council is urging people to have their say on the Town Centre First Plan for Milford. A planning and design company has been appointed to prepare the plan which has now gone to public consultation. Councillor Liam Blaney says the plan will set the precedent for future town centre plans.

Senior Ministers will meet later to discuss fresh cost of living supports. It’s expected an announcement will be made after next Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting to help families cope with rising prices. An extra €200 energy credit is one of the measures being considered. However, the Green Party seems to be against such a move, arguing

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment says delivering high speed broadband to the North West is a priority for Government to facilitate remote working opportunities and the opening of new businesses in the region. Minister Simon Coveney is hosting a ‘Building Better Business in the North-West’ event at the Atlantic Technological University’s Letterkenny campus

Plans to cut the opening hours of the National Driving Licence Service office in Letterkenny have been paused. Minister Jack Chambers has confirmed that he has requested the closure of the office on a part time basis does not go ahead at the moment. He says the office will currently continue to operate as normal